Toyota's New Rear Window Curtain Shield Airbag Ups the Safety Ante
09-30-08, 06:12 PM
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Toyota's New Rear Window Curtain Shield Airbag Ups the Safety Ante
Toyota looks to the backseat in developing this rear window curtain shield airbag. The bag protects the heads of rear passengers in a crash.
Toyota is expected to introduce the new airbag in its upcoming iQ (pictured), about to make its debut at the Paris auto show.
TOKYO — Toyota on Tuesday announced it has developed a rear window curtain shield airbag to protect rear passengers' heads in the event of a crash. The development seems to take direct aim at Honda, which has been jockeying for leadership in the safety arena among Japanese automakers.
Toyota calls its new airbag "the world's first" and says it will be used in the Toyota iQ four-seater. It is a major step forward, since rear-passenger protection has lagged behind front-passenger protection in general within the auto industry.
"The innovative airbag deploys from the roof lining above the rear window in the form of a curtain-like barrier," Toyota said in a statement. "Together with the headrests, the airbag minimizes impact to the head from a colliding vehicle or parts of the hit vehicle, thus helping to reduce the severity of injuries."
Traditional rear curtain airbags protect the torso.
What this means to you: Expect to see this new airbag rolled out to other Toyota products in the future — and copied by other automakers. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Toyota calls its new airbag "the world's first" and says it will be used in the Toyota iQ four-seater. It is a major step forward, since rear-passenger protection has lagged behind front-passenger protection in general within the auto industry.
"The innovative airbag deploys from the roof lining above the rear window in the form of a curtain-like barrier," Toyota said in a statement. "Together with the headrests, the airbag minimizes impact to the head from a colliding vehicle or parts of the hit vehicle, thus helping to reduce the severity of injuries."
Traditional rear curtain airbags protect the torso.
What this means to you: Expect to see this new airbag rolled out to other Toyota products in the future — and copied by other automakers. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Last edited by Overclocker; 09-30-08 at 06:16 PM.
09-30-08, 06:45 PM
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I dont see how this airbag is going to minimize the impact from a rear accident since it is already useless for side impact. The only benefit I see from this air bag is protection from flying debris which could have been easily done with some cheaper alternatives. IMO it would be more beneficial to have active headrest than this "world's first" useless airbag.
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09-30-08, 08:52 PM
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Maybe to protect the frame of the car from crashing to the headrest at a higher rate of speed from a rear collision? I guess we will need to see it in action to get a grasp of what it will do.
09-30-08, 09:44 PM
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Side airbags help because they cushion your torso/elbow against the door and any intruding object. The curtains protect the head from hitting the headliner as well as protect you from flying debris.
I'm guessing because the rear headrests are only a few inches, it's to protect the head from the intrusion of the rear glass. Now what if the headrest wasn't fully deployed as shown and a tall person was sitting there?
I'm guessing because the rear headrests are only a few inches, it's to protect the head from the intrusion of the rear glass. Now what if the headrest wasn't fully deployed as shown and a tall person was sitting there?
09-30-08, 09:53 PM
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10-01-08, 12:16 AM
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I dont see how this airbag is going to minimize the impact from a rear accident since it is already useless for side impact. The only benefit I see from this air bag is protection from flying debris which could have been easily done with some cheaper alternatives. IMO it would be more beneficial to have active headrest than this "world's first" useless airbag.
Look again at the picture. It goes around *and* behind the headrests. It inflates around the headrests to minimize the movement of the head and neck, while the part of the bag behind the headrests protects from debris and glass.
10-01-08, 10:01 AM
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Uh what does it have to do with a side impact? This airbag is designed for rear impacts, NOT side impacts. Toyota already has an assortment of airbags that deploy in a side impact.
Look again at the picture. It goes around *and* behind the headrests. It inflates around the headrests to minimize the movement of the head and neck, while the part of the bag behind the headrests protects from debris and glass.
Look again at the picture. It goes around *and* behind the headrests. It inflates around the headrests to minimize the movement of the head and neck, while the part of the bag behind the headrests protects from debris and glass.
. Airbags inflate and deflate in fraction of a second so how is it going to miminize the head movement? Like frontal impacts, the airbag deploys in between your face and the steering wheel to absorb the impact. Why are these airbags placed behind the headrests instead of in between for rear impacts?Care to explain more how these airbags will actually help in rear impacts?
From the drivers perspective, when hit from behind, all that crap in the car behind the driver will fly away from the driver at the moment of impact.
Last edited by newr; 10-01-08 at 10:07 AM.